Many Armenian dance groups have donated costumes which were designed to replicate garments worn in historic Armenia. Long skirts, vertical stripes, and scalloped edges are just a few characteristics of these outfits. In this video, Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian shows us four 20th century pieces worn by dance groups that accurately represent traditional Armenian dress. We also have more than 60 authentic Armenian garments in our textile collection.
Musical Scores of Alan Hovhaness
Are you a music aficionado? We have an extensive collection of albums spanning the past 100 years. In addition to recordings, we also have instruments and original scores. Alan Hovhaness was one of the most prolific Armenian composers of the 20th century composers, and Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian shares a few related items that once belonged to collector Mark Kaloostian including an original hand-written score.
The Man Who Made Arshile Gorky Dance
Artist and musician Yenovk Der Hagopian immigrated to United States in the aftermath of the Armenian Genocide and settled in Watertown along with fellow Vanetzi Arshile Gorky. Der Hagopian was known as a folk singer but he was also a refined painter and sculptor. In this video, Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian displays one of his paintings as well as some of his recordings in our collection.
Folk Dance Scores and Instruction
Sometimes we find references to Armenian culture in the most unusual places! In this video, Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian scrolls through the 1927 book “American Indian and Other Folk Dances” which includes the first English description of the folk dance “Lepo Lele,” as well as instructions of how to dance to this and several other Armenian songs. Put on your dancing shoes and see if this sounds familiar to you!
Rare Recording by Armenag Shahmuradian
The most prominent Armenian opera singer of the early 20th century was Armenag Shahmuradian. Trained in Paris and known as the protege of Gomidas Vartabed, he established a new record label and created a distinct, recognizable sound. We recently acquired a very rare recording of Shahmuradian, which Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian shares along with background on the prominent tenor.
Saz and Kamancha
This week we are featuring two more instruments from our folk music exhibition. The saz is a plucked stringed instrument that was often carved from a single piece of wood. The kamancha is also a stringed instrument played with a horsehair bow that can be compared to a violin. The great Sayat Nova would always have one by his side. These pieces are on display in our second-floor galleries as part of an exhibition mounted in honor of the late Fred Margosian, a dedicated member of our Board of Trustees. In this video Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian explains how these instruments helped to shape Armenian music.
Oud & Dumbeg
This week we are featuring instruments that reflect the Armenian-American musical experience. These pieces are on display in our second-floor galleries as part of a music exhibition mounted in honor of the late Fred Margosian, a dedicated member of our Board of Trustees. In this video, Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian explains how the oud and dumbeg became two of the most important instruments in Armenian-American music.
Folk Instruments
We hold an extensive collection of folk instruments dating back to the 19th century. We recently installed a gallery exhibition of these wonderful pieces in honor of the late Fred Margosian, one of our beloved Trustees. Some of the instruments may be familiar like the clarinet or trumpet, while others are unique to Armenia and surrounding cultures. In our new video, Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian discusses these popular instruments.
Hovagim's Books
Before the days when data was at the tip of your fingers or with a click of a button, folks carried little black books which carried notes and lyrics to their favorite songs. Often times the melody and instrument would remain but the actual words were forgotten. With these types of books and many others in our collection the sounds of those times can live on forever. In this video, Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian discusses the typical books many immigrants would have with them.
Recordings & Original Scores of Alan Hovhaness
Much like writing text or letters, most people write music on computers these days. Once upon a time, however, scores were written by hand and only printed later once the work was complete. These original handwritten sheets of music are rare, but at the Armenian Museum we have several sets from the prolific composer Alan Hovhaness. Hovhaness was a Massachusetts native who decided on his career path at a very young age. Watch as collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian discusses the career and legacy of Alan Hovhaness.
Zildjian Cymbal
Do you ever look at the instruments played by your favorite band? Most drum sets include cymbals. Often Zildjian cymbals! The first Zildjian cymbals were created in 1618 by Avedis Zildjian, an Armenian alchemist. He made an alloy into a sheet of metal that could make musical sounds without shattering. The family business grew and the secret cymbal-making process was passed down through generations. In 1929, Avedis Zildjian III established a Zildjian cymbal foundry in Quincy, Massachusetts and moved to a state-of-the-art facility in Norwell in 1973. Listen to Collections Curator Gary Lind-Sinanian discuss the history, and don’t forget to share the video if you know someone that may be unaware of the storied past of these ubiquitous percussion instruments!
Behind the Scenes! Preserving and Digitizing our Musical Recordings Collection
While vinyl is making a come-back in the recording industry, the Museum’s collection dates back over 100 years in some instances, and we would hate to lose these songs to time and degradation. Audio digitization specialist and museum volunteer Jesse Kenas Collins gives you a behind-the-scenes look at how the Armenian Museum preserves and digitizes our rare musical recordings collection.
We are also excited to share a wonderful piece of our collection with you! This video features an original vinyl recording of soprano Zabelle Panosian singing “Groong” or “Krunk” from 1917 in a powerful and striking rendition, differing from the more well-known Komitas version. Panosian was in her 20s when she recorded this performance for Columbia Records. After numerous pressings, Columbia Records stopped selling Armenian-language material in 1931.
From 1908-1920, Panosian lived in Brookline, Massachusetts and helped raise funds for the Near East Relief, which provided aid and support to victims of the Armenian Genocide. She died in 1986, with her work largely forgotten, but as part of our mission to preserve and promote, the Museum is thrilled to share her work with you today in her newly digitized fashion.